CAT Driver Training

CAT Driver Training: evidence-based driver training

CAT Driver Training is a British company specialising in driver training, with an approach that combines vehicle dynamics engineering and the development of driving skills. Its offering is structured into four academies: Road, Track, Race, and Motor Industry, each with programmes organised by levels. The company presents itself as an approved/accredited Ford Motor Company driver training and assessment provider.

CAT's method is based on dynamic understanding of the vehicle: according to its presentation, the programmes aim for the student to understand why the car behaves in a certain way, with the goal of accelerating their progress. The training is described as personalised and adapted to each client's learning style and type of vehicle.

Road Academy

The Road Academy is aimed at drivers who want to understand how the road affects car handling, eliminate the unpredictable, and master advanced braking and steering techniques. The programme is presented as a comprehensive driver development, with protection of the vehicle as an investment. The courses in this academy are:

• Cat Road L1: Advanced Driver Training (stand-alone course).
• Cat Road L2: Advanced Control (stand-alone course).
• Cat Road L3: Advanced Performance (stand-alone course, marked as best seller).
• Cat Road L4: Skid Control & Over Grip Limit Recovery (stand-alone course, marked as best seller).
• Cat Road L5: Optimisation.
• Cat Road L6: Advanced Control Master.

Track Academy

The Track Academy teaches how to construct a safe, fast, and efficient lap, explaining both the how and the why. The work focuses on manipulating speed and tyre grip to achieve progressive and confident driving on track. The available courses are:

• Cat Track L1: Performance Driver (stand-alone course).
• Cat Track L2: Optimisation (marked as best seller).
• Cat Track L3: Over Grip Limit & Drifting (stand-alone course, marked as best seller).
• Cat Track L4: Grip Limit.
• Cat Track L5: Confidence at Grip Limit.
• Cat Track L6: Circuit Driving Master.

Race Academy

The Race Academy starts from the idea that motorsport is built on a series of 1% improvements each and every time you get behind the wheel. The programme not only works on execution but also on understanding why each thing is done. The courses in this academy are:

• Cat Race L1: Performance Driver (stand-alone course).
• Cat Race L2: Optimisation (marked as best seller).
• Cat Race L3: Over Grip Limit Car Control (stand-alone course, marked as best seller).
• Cat Race L4: Grip Limit for Competition.
• Cat Race L5: Confidence at Grip Limit - Circuit Preparation.
• Cat Race L6: Ready - Circuit Day.

Motor Industry Training

CAT Driver Training also addresses the motor industry with professional development and risk management programmes for road and proving grounds. Among its clients are automotive manufacturers (OEMs) and individual contractors, including engineers, technicians, and technology developers working in the sector. The specific courses for this area are:

• Cat Motor Industry: Safety First Driver Development.
• Cat Motor Industry: ADAS Evaluation Test & Development.
• Cat Motor Industry: Autonomous Safety Driver & Operator.
• Cat Motor Industry: Driving for Work & Key Person.

Facilities and headquarters

The company operates from the CAT Hub, located within the UTAC facility (formerly Millbrook Proving Ground), at 3 Alpine Loop. According to its presentation, it is the only training provider resident at that centre. The relationship with the facility dates back to 2005 and is described as a collaboration based on safety and customer service. The centre has a skills circuit and a skid pan, among other areas.

Team and method

CAT's instructor team holds the highest qualifications awarded by the DVSA, as well as accredited driver development training, including psychological aspects of driving. The company combines this preparation with engineering expertise, which defines its approach to developing vehicle control. The training is described as an individualised coaching process, with repetition of skills until they become innate.

Vehicles and clients

Students can train in their own vehicle or in a CAT vehicle, according to their preference. The company states it has served 8,357 clients and has accumulated reviews on Trustpilot and Google. Among the published testimonials are experiences with models such as Porsche 911 Turbo S and BMW M4, and it highlights work on track and on the skid pan.